Air-blast cotton picker



March 11, 1930. w, PRESTON 1,750,541

AIR BLAST COTTOIL; PICKER Filed Nov. 24', 1926 2 Shets-Sheet 1 2,.- wwwk March 11, 1930. w, PRESTON 1,750,541

AIR BLAST COTTON PICK ER Filed Nov. 24, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6.

FIGA;

A 5 B F' F C D E F o o R N M Presl'hn lnverrhm Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR-BLAST COTTON PICKER Application filed November 24, 1926.

This invention relates to an appliance for picking cotton from the growing plant, the object being to produce a picker which is simple in construction, simple in operation, which may be adjusted as required, and which is not likely to get out of order.

' The invention consists of a means of conveyance, an air compressor and tank on such conveyance, a bale carrier and presser, and a device in which air under pressure is released causing a suction, which, when the inlet or mouth of the device is applied to a cotton boll, sucks the cotton from the husk and forces it along the pipe to the bale on the conveyance, or where desired.

In order that my invention may be better understood I will now describe it with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete appliance partly broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an elevational detail partly in section of a portion of the appliance.

Fig. 4 is a view of same looking from a different position.

Fig. 5 is a part sectional elevation of an alternative arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a part view of an alternative detail.

I will first describe that portion of my invention as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive. In carrying out my invention I provide an annular chamber or recess F in or on the wall of a pipe or cylinder A B, an annular passage E Fig. 3 or a number of passages B Fig. 5 being arranged diagonally from the chamber or recess to the inside of the pipe or cylinder A B in a direction towards the outlet of the latter. A pipe G leads from a source of compressed air supply to the annular chamber or recess F. The preferred form, and perhaps the most convenient form for manu facture, is shown in Figs. 8 and 4 of the drawings. According to this arrangement, the pipe or cylinder is made in two parts A B, which are formed so that they can be screwed or otherwise secured together, suitable packing P being provided in order that an air-tight joint may be provided between Serial No. 150,568.

them. The male portion A has a tapered end C, which is formed so as to extend within the internal tapered portion D of the female part B. Suitable clearance between the tapered end C and the internal tapered portion D forms an annular passage E, connecting the inside of the pipe or cylinder A B, and the recess or chamber F formed by a groove in the female part B and the male part A. The transverse area of the passage 69 may be adjusted as desired by screwing the parts A B more or less tightly together. The air pipe G forms communication between the chamber or recess F and a source of compressed air supply of suitable construction and arrangement.

A mouth piece H, which is preferably of uniform internal diameter, or one which is flared or expanded, is connected direct to the part A of the pipe or cylinder A B. One or 79 more points J may be provided on the edge of the mouth J so that the cotton may be jabbed when it is found necessary to do so.

A delivery pipe K and a flexible pipe or hose K are connected to the female part B by 7 suitable means and leads to a cotton receptacle, as will be hereinafter described.

The air pipe G, is fitted with a control valve of suitable design. That which I prefer to use is illustrated in Fig. 3. This consists of a casing L, in which slides a plunger L formed with an annular groove M. This plunger L is operated by the pusher N, and is returned to its normal or closed position by the spring P. V

In the alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 5, I substitute air conduits R formed in the male member and leading when the parts are assembled to the interior of the pipe in lieu of the passage E.

Air is supplied through the pipe G to the control device, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, by an air compressor Q driven by the engine or motor S both of which may be of any known type. The compressor Q and engine 9 or motor S are carried by the conveyance S, which may be drawn or propelled as desired, and which also carries a compressed air storage tank T. A suitable gauge T and cock T would be provided on the air pipe G.

. the bottom of the bale.

In a convenient position on the conveyance S a frame U is provided for carrying the bale U which is releasably carried at the top.

The hose or flexible pipe K is attached to a pipe V carried by a bracket V rotatably supported on the conveyance S. A swivelling outlet IV is carried on the end of the pipe V and stops WV on the frame U control the direction of delivery.

A presser, consisting of the head X, plunger X and lever X is pivotally .carried on the top of the frame U.

I do not wish to bind myself to the exact details of construction shown in the drawings as it will be readily understood that they may be varied without interfering with the essential features of the invention.

The air compressor and driving engine and compressed air tank are carried on wheels so that they can be drawn or propelled about the field among the growing crops. The appliance having been connected to the compressor by means of the pipe G and the engine being set in motion, the mouth J of the mouthpiece H is pushed against the cotton boll and the pusher N of the valve L, L immediately operated. A quantity of compressed air is thereby released into the pipe A B through the pipe G, chamber or recess F, and passage E, or passages R, creating a suction at the mouth H or J, which sucks the cotton from the husks and delivers it through the mouthpiece H, or J to the pipe or cylinder A B, from which it is conveyed by pipe K, and hose K to any suitable receptacle where it is forced through the pipe V and out of the swivelling outlet IV into the bale U As the control and suction device is moved about the field adjacent to the appliance the bracket V is swung on its axis, and as it nears its extreme travel the swivelling outlet IV strikes against either of the stops WV causing the outlet to be directed towards The compressed air is intermittently released as required on the application of the mouth J to each boll by manipulating the plunger L of the control valve. If the cotton is diflicult to remove it may be jabbed by the point J Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In an air blast cotton picker, a pipe, a chamber formed in the wall of said pipe, a passage leading from said chamber to within said pipe, said passage being arranged diagonally towards the outlet of said pipe, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. In an air blast cotton picker, a pipe formed of two parts, means to secure said parts air-tightly together, a coned male portion formed on one of said parts, a coned female portion formed on the other part, the

male member lying within the female member and in spaced relation thereto so that a diagonal annular passage is formed between said coned portions, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

3. In an air blast cotton picker as claimed in claim 1 and in combination therewith of an air supply .pipe connected to said chamber and to a source of air supply, and a manually operated valve in said air pipe for controlling said air supply, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

4. In an air blast cotton picker, as claimed in claim 1 and in combination therewith of an air supply pipe connected to said chamber and to asource of air supply, and a manually operated valve in said air pipe for controllingsaid air supply, consisting of a casing, a. plunger, a groove in said plunger, a pusher, and a recoil spring, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

5. In an air blast cotton picker as claimed in claim 2 and in combination therewith of an air supply pipe connected to said chamber and to a source of air supply, and a manually operated valve in said air pipe for controlling said air supply, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

6. In an air blast cotton picker as claimed in claim 2 and in combination therewith of an air supply pipe connected to said chamber and to a source of air supply, and a manually operated valve in said air pipe for controlling said air supply, consisting of a casing, a plunger, a groove in said plunger, a pusher, and a recoil spring, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER PRESTON. 

